Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, takes a shot into the zone past Nashville Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)

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Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, takes a shot into the zone past Nashville Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13), of Russia, takes a shot into the zone past Nashville Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon) (/ AP)

Detroit Red Wings center Kris Draper (33), skates past Nashville Predators defenseman Cody Franson (32) and takes a wrap around shot that is stopped by Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Ph

/ AP

Detroit Red Wings center Kris Draper (33), skates past Nashville Predators defenseman Cody Franson (32) and takes a wrap around shot that is stopped by Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)

Detroit Red Wings center Kris Draper (33), skates past Nashville Predators defenseman Cody Franson (32) and takes a wrap around shot that is stopped by Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Frederick Breedon) (/ AP)

Jimmy Howard stopped nine of Nashville's 10 shootout attempts to make Kronwall's goal stand up as the winner.

Detroit has won five straight and eight of nine to move into a more solid playoff position. The Red Wings jumped out of eighth place in the tightly packed Western Conference race.

Nashville lost for just the second time in nine games. The fifth-place Predators are only one point ahead of the surging Red Wings. Both teams were helped earlier Saturday when ninth-place Calgary lost at Boston.

After Kronwall's goal, Howard stopped Francis Bouillon to seal the win. Both goalies were credited with shutouts. Rinne made 38 traditional saves to earn his fourth shutout in March. Howard stopped 33 shots through overtime.

The Red Wings have beaten Nashville in four of five matchups. The teams will conclude the season series next Saturday in Detroit.

NOTES: Detroit RW Patrick Eaves played in his 300th NHL game. ... Detroit is 7-4-1 in the second game of back-to-back sets. ... The Red Wings are 5-9 in shootouts. Nashville is 7-4. ... Howard is 3-0 against the Predators this season.